Two studies were considered to be at low risk of bias the other at uncertain risk

The treated group showed the following significant changes:-

ANB° +3.66° [95%CI (2.58, 4.74)];

SNA° +2.10 [95%CI (1.14, 3.06)];

SNB° -1.54 [95%CI (-2.13, -0.95)];

SN-palatal plane -0.82° [95%CI (-1.62, -0.02)]; and

SN-mandibular plane +1.51 [95%CI (0.61, 2.41)].

The authors concluded

Facemask is effective correcting Class III malocclusion in the short term. The skeletal modifications induced by facemask are forward displacement of maxilla, backward displacement of mandible, clockwise rotation of the mandibular plane, and counterclockwise rotation of the maxillary plane.

Comment

A recently updated Cochrane review by Watkinson et al (Dental Elf 18th Oct 2013) looked at treatments for class III malocclusions including use of the facemask. All 3 of the studies included in this review had been published at the time of the Cochrane review but only 2 of them were included. The Cochrane reviewers concluded: –

There is some evidence that the use of a facemask to correct prominent lower front teeth in children is effective when compared to no treatment on a short-term basis. However, in view of the general poor quality of the included studies, these results should be viewed with caution. Further randomised controlled trials with long follow-up are required.

While perhaps it is reassuring that two groups of reviewers have come to similar conclusions from the available evidence this does represent duplication of effort.